With resources such as the Library of Congress, the American Poetry Museum and thirteen university libraries, DC is a central gathering ground for the literarily inclined.1 Every day, poetry is integrated into the lives of thousands of DC residents through a number of readings, workshops, and national poetic events. The community of poetry enthusiasts that is ever-present in the city today adds a vivacious culture to the DC area that can only be described as one-of-a-kind.
Earlier this semester I attended the National Book Festival, hoping to explore the full scope of DC culture. At this annual event, ten nationally acclaimed poets, including Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winners, presented and signed their works in for over one hundred thousand poetry fanatics. 2 To feel the immense passion that the DC community exudes for the literary arts is a mind-opening experience. Elizabeth Alexander, who performed her poetry in front of President Obama at his inauguration, was one of the speakers I had the pleasure of hearing. Standing under her tent in the sweltering heat, I not only absorbed her powerful message of the importance of poetry, but I also noticed the intent silence that surrounded the crowd. People from across the country had assembled in the masses to recognize the power of words. The immeasurable appreciation for poetry available in Washington, DC, which became apparent to me that day, is a rare and precious occurrence.
The high presence of poetry in Washington dates back to the 1970s, which as nationally recognized poet and DC resident Terence Winch affirms, “[was] a very active time on the avant-garde poetry front in DC.”3 The 70’s were the years of the Beat Generation and artistic non-conformity in the urban areas of the United States, and Washington, DC was no exception. Poetry played a pivotal role in Washingtonian culture during this time, and led to the establishment of weekly performance events such as Mass Transit in Dupont Circle.4 Community members gathered to appreciate the artistic expression of others and share their own personal, social or political messages during.
Many would say that the level of appreciation for poetry as vastly decreased in America over the last few decades; however, in Washington DC, this decline has not been noticeable. Winch states, “I think there's been an amazing degree of continuity between the scene of 25+ years ago and today,” 3 observing the still thriving poetic community we have in DC today. Whether it’s weekly events at Busboys and Poets (at both 5th and K or 14th and V street locations), MotherTongue at the Black Cat, or Wednesday Verses at Bohemian Caverns, there is no shortage of opportunity for poetic appreciation.
As a new member to the DC poetry community and a student of poetry analysis, I have been both welcomed with open arms and encouraged to participate. Through my experiences I have found that there are endless opportunities for poetic expression in this city. Through attending creative writing workshops at a local university, performing at one of the weekly open-mic nights, or simply listening to presentations by the number of nationally recognized poets that visit DC, any member of the community can experience Washington’s vibrant culture of poetic expression.
1 http://www.publiclibraries.com/university_dc.htm
2 http://www.loc.gov/bookfest/authors/?PHPSESSID=a32430798f8d0ed2a4479
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3 http://www.dcpoetry.com/history/winch
4 http://www.gelman.gwu.edu/collections/SCRC/current-events/mass-transit-take-a-trip-through-dc2019s-1970s-avant-garde-poetry-scene
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